Marco was seated at a small table in his grandfather’s modest home in the mountains of Mexico. Each morning Marco would read his Bible at the table mimicking what he had observed his grandpa doing day after day. Marco questioned his grandpa: “I try to read my Bible like you do but it is hard to understand and I do not remember what I have read; so, why should I continue trying?”

With gentle patience and the wisdom of years the old white haired saint picked up a blackened basket that he had used to carry freshly dug potatoes from his garden. “Son, take this basket to the creek and bring me back a basket full of water.”

Eager to please his grand daddy, Marco ran to the near by creek and dipped the dirty basket into the creek and returned. When he arrived the basket was empty. “You must move quicker” the old man said as he sent him back to the creek. Again Marco filled the basket and ran to get the water to his grand father. But upon arrival, there was no water in his basket.

Grand father said, “You have not run fast enough!”

Tired, sweaty, and feeling the uselessness of carrying water in a woven straw basket, the barefoot boy ran his fastest to please his grandpa.

But again, the same result. With exasperation Marco complained, “See it’s not working; this is stupid!”

“Marco,” said his grandpa, “look closely at the basket and tell me what you see.”

Puzzled the boy examined the basket carefully. “It’s clean, all the dirt is gone!”

“Ah, you are correct my son. This is the way studying God’s Word works. As you read it there is much you do not understand or remember. But in the process of the working of God’s Spirit and your continuance, your mind and soul are made clean.”

Jesus has spoken to you and me, “You are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.”

As you study God’s Word there are other benefits that come with this one: encouragement, guidance, joy, faith and hope. We here at BBNBI applaud your efforts to study your Bible and we encourage you to make another trip to the creek. Select another course; continue your studies that Christ may continue His purifying work in your life.

Have you written us an email telling what God has done and is doing in your life from your studies in BBNBI? We would be pleased to hear from you. (BBNBI@bbnradio.org)